Athletic training device with lighted indicators

ABSTRACT

An athletic training device includes a power box containing a power source and an electronics box having a front and an interior. A number of translucent portions are formed in the front to allow for a number of lamps positioned internal to the electronic box and adjacent to the translucent portions to be viewed exterior to the electronic box. By use of a remote control having a number of buttons, individual lamps are illuminated to indicate a desired response. A whistle operatively connected to a timing relay sounds after illumination of a lamp is no longer present.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/480,866 filed on Apr. 29, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an athletic training device used in reaction training with visual and audio signals.

Athlete reaction training is typically done by a coach signaling with a ball or hand gesture instructing the athlete to move in a corresponding direction. Because these movements are often telegraphed by the coach, an athlete may receive an advanced warning of the direction the coach will indicate. This makes determining the true reaction time of an athlete difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a device is provided which may overcome the disadvantages of a manual reaction-measuring system relying on ball or hand gestures.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a power box containing a power source and an electronics box comprising a front and an interior. The front includes a plurality of translucent portions. The interior of the electronics box contains a number of lamps positioned adjacent to the translucent portions; a wireless relay; an electronic whistle operatively connected to a speaker and the power source and a timing relay. The electronics box also includes an on/off switch, a first power connector, and a tripod mounting block.

Further features of the preferred embodiment include a power cable attachable between the power box and the electronics box to transmit power from batteries within the power box to the light emitting diodes, wireless relay, electronic whistle and timing relay.

A remote control includes a number of depressable buttons associated with the light emitting diodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic box assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a radio-frequency remote control in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As viewed in FIG. 1, a training device in accordance with the present invention is comprised primarily of a power box 20 electrically connected to an electronics box assembly 10 by power cable 22. In one embodiment, power box 20 is approximately 4½″×6½″×1¼.″ In some embodiments, power cable 22 may be of a variety having D-subminiature connection. In some embodiments, the power cable 22 may have a male connection at both ends. The exterior of electronics box assembly 10 may be formed of a durable, light-weight material such as plastic and in one embodiment has approximate dimensions 12″×10″×2¼.″ Electronics box assembly 10 may be supported by a tripod 18 of a known style with telescoping legs.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, electronics box 10 may include front 12, back 16 and side 14 panels provided to contain interior electrical components. Indicator cut-outs 24, 26, 28 and 30 are provided in front panel 12 to allow direct visualization of translucent tinted panel 40. In some embodiments, cut-outs 24, 26, 28 and 30 are in the form of arrows. However, other shapes may be desirable. In some embodiments, panel 40 may be tinted one or more colors.

Perforations provided in front panel 12 allow for transmission of an audible alert from a whistle speaker 32. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a whistle on/of switch 34 and a training device on/off switch 36 are mounted to side panel 14 to allow for selective use of the whistle and powering on/off of the training device, respectively. A status indicator light may be present on one of the panels 12, 14 and 16. Lamp reflectors 44 formed on rear panel 16 surround lamps 42 to reflect light from lamps 42 towards cut-outs 26 and a tripod mounting block 38 is formed at a bottom of rear panel 16 to allow receipt of a tripod connector.

Wireless relay board 46, which may be of a four channel variety, is housed internal to electronics box 10 and receives indicator signals from remote control 52, which in some embodiments is in the form of a radio-frequency key fob. Timing board 48 is also internal to box 10 and allows for a delay of activation of whistle board 50 such that an audible whistle is produced some amount of time after lamps 42 are illuminated. This time as well as the length of audible signal produced by the whistle are preferably adjustable.

As viewed in FIG. 4, remote control 52 preferably has buttons 54, 56, 58 and 60 corresponding in number to lamps 42 such that depressing one of buttons 54, 56, 58 and 60 signals an illumination of a respective one of lamps 42 through translucent tinted panel 40 and cut-outs 24.

An electrical schematic in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 5. One battery is provided for each of lamps 42, timing relay 48 and electronic whistle board 50. In some embodiments, lamps 42 may be light emitting diodes. Two batteries are provided for wireless relay 46. In some embodiments, the electronic whistle board battery is of a lesser voltage than other batteries. All batteries are preferably contained within power box 20. Relay 46 independently illuminates each lamp 42.

To use an embodiment of the present invention to train an athlete, a coach or trainer presses one of buttons 54, 56, 58 or 60 to cause a radio signal to be transmitted from the remote control 52 to wireless relay 46. Wireless relay 46 receives the signal and allows transmission of current from a battery corresponding with the button selected to a respective lamp 42. With lamp 42 illuminated and visible through translucent panel 40 and cut-outs 24, 26, 28 or 30, an athlete may view illuminated lamp 42 and react by moving in the direction indicated by the lamp 42. For example, when button 54 is depressed by a coach or trainer, cut-out 54 may appear illuminated to an athlete and the athlete may respond by moving in that direction.

When lamp 42 no longer receives power a signal is transmitted within electronics box 10 to timing relay 48 so that whistle 50 will receive power from its battery after a delay time in accordance with programming of timing relay 48. An athlete hearing sounding of whistle 50 through speaker 32 will be alerted to stop the performed activity indicated by the illuminated lamp 42. The athlete preferably returns to the starting location after stopping the activity in preparation for a new indication by the same lamp 42 or a different lamp.

In some embodiments, a programmable computer may be provided to enhance the device by allowing adjustment and more complex situations for training.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A device, comprising: a power box containing a power source including seven primary batteries and two secondary batteries, wherein said primary batteries have a higher voltage than said secondary batteries; an electronics box comprising a front and an interior, wherein said front includes a plurality of translucent portions; wherein said interior contains: a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned adjacent to said plurality of translucent portions; a wireless relay capable of selectively allowing power transmission from one or more of said primary batteries to each of said light emitting diodes independently; wherein one or more of said primary batteries supply power to said wireless relay; an electronic whistle operatively connected to a speaker and said second batteries; and a timing relay capable of selectively allowing power transmission from said one or more of said secondary batteries to said electronic whistle a time after said wireless relay allows power transmission to said plurality of light emitting diodes; wherein one or more of said primary batteries supply power to said timing relay; said electronics box also including an on/off switch, a first power connector, and a tripod mounting block; a power cable attachable between said power box and said electronics box to transmit power from said primary and secondary batteries said light emitting diodes, said wireless relay, said electronic whistle and said timing relay; a remote control having a plurality of depressable buttons associated with said plurality of light emitting diodes such that depression of one of said plurality of buttons sends a wireless signal to said wireless relay to allow power transmission to one of said light emitting diodes; and a tripod for engagement to said tripod mounting block to support said electronic box in an elevated position.
 2. A method of training comprising: providing a device comprising: a power box containing a power source; an electronics box comprising a front and an interior, wherein said front includes a plurality of translucent portions; wherein said interior contains: a plurality of lamps positioned adjacent to said plurality of translucent portions; a wireless relay capable of selectively allowing power transmission from said power box to each of said lamps independently;  wherein one or more of said primary batteries supply to said wireless relay; an electronic whistle operatively connected to a speaker and said second batteries; and a timing relay capable of selectively allowing power transmission from said one or more of said secondary batteries to said electronic whistle a time after said wireless relay allows power transmission to said plurality of lamps;  wherein one or more of said primary batteries supply power to said timing relay; said electronics box also including an on/off switch, a first power connector, and a tripod mounting block; a power cable attachable between said power box and said electronics box to transmit power from said primary and secondary batteries said light emitting diodes, said wireless relay, said electronic whistle and said timing relay; and a remote control having a plurality of depressable buttons associated with said plurality of lamps; depressing of one of said plurality of buttons to send a wireless signal to said wireless relay to allow power transmission to one of said lamps to cause illumination of said one of said lamps to be viewed through said translucent portions; moving from a first location towards a second location as indicated by said one of said lamps; sounding said whistle a pre-determined period of time after illumination; discontinuing moving in said indicated direction in response to sounding of said whistle; returning to said first location.
 3. A device, comprising: a power box containing a power source; an electronics box comprising a front and an interior, wherein said front includes a plurality of translucent portions; wherein said interior contains: a plurality of lamps positioned adjacent to said plurality of translucent portions; a wireless relay; an electronic whistle operatively connected to a speaker and said power source; and a timing relay; said electronics box also including an on/off switch, a first power connector, and a tripod mounting block; a power cable attachable between said power box and said electronics box to transmit power to said lamps, said wireless relay, said electronic whistle and said timing relay; and a remote control having a plurality of depressable buttons associated with said plurality of lamps.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein: said timing relay is capable of selectively allowing power transmission from said power source to said electronic whistle a time after said wireless relay allows power transmission to said plurality of lamps.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein: said power source includes seven primary batteries and two secondary batteries and wherein said primary batteries have a higher voltage than said secondary batteries.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein said lamps are light emitting diodes.
 7. The device of claim 3, wherein: said wireless relay is capable of selectively allowing power transmission from one or more of said primary batteries to each of said light emitting diodes independently.
 8. The device of claim 3, wherein: said power source supplies power to said wireless relay.
 9. The device of claim 3, wherein: said timing relay is capable of selectively allowing power transmission from said one or more of said secondary batteries to said electronic whistle a time after said wireless relay allows power transmission to said plurality of light emitting diodes.
 10. The device of claim 3, wherein: said power source supplies power to said timing relay.
 11. The device of claim 3, wherein: depression of one of said plurality of buttons is capable of sending a wireless signal to said wireless relay to allow power transmission to one of said light emitting diodes. 